‘Peace Vase’ installed in Tubbataha Reef

A so-called "Peace Vase" was installed this week in the waters of the Tubbataha Reef, the country’s only national marine park and a World Heritage Site, in Palawan.

As a sacred ground and a marine sanctuary, the Tubbataha Reef is a perfect resting ground for vessels of peace that promote harmony and well-being because they are believed to possess prayers, medicines and precious substances used by Tibetans to protect important places against misfortunes.

Palawan Gov. Joel Reyes said it is an honor for Palaweños to be a recipient of such a vessel of peace and harmony.

"The installation of the Peace Vase in Tubbataha will further emphasize the sacredness of the national marine park...," he said.

The governor thanked the Marine Ecosystem Council Inc., a non-government organization facilitating the underwater deployment of the vases that were donated by the government of India to the Philippines.

Louie Mencias, the council’s president, personally supervised the installation of the Peace Vase in the southeastern part of the northern islet. Park manager Angelique Songco said the vase was placed right in the middle section of Tubbataha.

The Peace Vase is the last of the 24 vases donated by the Indian government to the Philippines. Mencias said the vases were made and consecrated by Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, one of the greatest spiritual masters of Tibet.

About 6,000 vases were made with the help of monks and lamas from the Kingdom of Bhutan, and 4,000 pieces have been deployed worldwide.

Aside from Palawan, the Marine Ecosystem Council also facilitated the first underwater installation of a Peace Vase in a small cave 60 feet deep in an environmentally pristine area in Palanan, Isabela. Another Peace Vase rests in a fish sanctuary in San Pablo, Bauan, Batangas.